MarkBook Class Distribution Analysis

    MarkBook^®     section 8-5

Class Grade Distribution Analysis Screen
Reach this screen from MarkBook's Class Report Screen, section 8-1, by clicking on the Distribution tab in the upper part of the screen. Two samples are shown and discussed here.

Each percentage distribution block is displayed on the X-axis of this bar graph. The number of students within each percentage block displays on the Y-axis. It's possible to have an overall mark for some students in excess of 100% if bonus marks were used as in section 7-3.

Use this screen to give an indication of how your class is doing overall. If you have concerns with this distribution, you have all of the screens in Chapters 8 and 9 to help you determine the sources of difficulty.

It is worthwhile noting that classes seldom show a classic bell curve even in circumstances where the evaluator seeks a norm-referenced model as discussed in section i-4. Typical classes are frequently composed of groups of students with highly divergent attitudes and abilities and are much too small numerically to achieve an "ideal" distribution pattern. Attempting to achieve a bell curve for every class is likely a waste of time and a potentially damaging exercise! Additionally, your credibility can be seriously stretched by manipulating student grades to fit the class into an "ideal" pattern!

To display a distribution of Level or Mode, select the appropriate Format: button at the lower left of the graph. The following sample shows the class broken into 13 levels from R to 4+. Note the threshold percentages for each level.

Criterion-Referenced Bar Graph of Students' Grades

Criterion-Referenced Bar Graph of Students' Grades

Manual: Go to section 8-6 to see how to set up printouts of class reports.